Driveway Coating in Myrtle Beach

Is a coated driveway a good idea?

It can be, on the right slab. A coated driveway hides oil stains and tire marks, cleans with a hose and gives the front of the house a finished look that matches a coated garage. The trade offs are real, though: a driveway takes full sun, rain, hot tires and every bit of sand the cars bring home, and when it is wet a smooth surface gets slick.

So a driveway coating has to be done properly: real prep so it bonds to the concrete, a base coat and flake, a polyaspartic top coat that will not yellow, and added grip.

What we look at on a driveway

• Cracks. Sandy coastal soil settles, and roots from big oaks and pines lift slabs. Hairline cracks are filled. A crack where one side has dropped means the slab is moving, and a coating will show it.
• Old sealers. Many driveways have been sealed before. A sealer has to come off so the new coating bonds to bare concrete. See grinding vs acid etching.
• Oil and rust stains. They are ground and cleaned out so they do not bleed through.
• Slope and drainage. Water has to run off the finished surface, not pond on it.

Check your HOA first

Many Grand Strand communities have rules about exterior surfaces and colors, and a driveway is the most visible concrete on the house. A garage floor is inside, so it rarely needs approval, but a driveway often does. Check your community's guidelines before you pick a color.

Frequently asked questions